In these times we are living through, it is vitally important to keep the flame of excitement alive within the players, even if the cultural and social context doesn't help at all. Therefore, now more than ever, we must be obsessed with ensuring that players come back to the next training session eager to take part in everything we propose.
One tool I’ve found to encourage competition among my players is to organize a 3v3 league during training twice a week.
Benefits of 3v3 for player development:
- The playing space is larger since there are fewer players than in a regular game situation, so the level of offensive and defensive uncertainty is lower.
- It allows us to enrich the game with technical and tactical concepts, as it is the odd-numbered structure with numerical equality that most closely resembles 5v5.
- Players can make substitutions whenever they decide. It’s interesting to observe how they organize themselves without the coach, as this is where leaders emerge and partnerships between players can form.
- Shorter possession time, which encourages greater efficiency in the game.
How to structure the competition:
- Trying to ensure that all players have played both against and with everyone else before the league ends.
- If we wanted to work on concepts, we would reward their appearance and effectiveness.
- The winner of the competition will be the player with the most points. Each player carries their score to the individual ranking.
- The scoring system will be as follows: Game won by 3 or more points = 4 points. Game won by less than 3 points = 2 points. Game lost = 1 point.
- The match scoring will follow the official 3v3 rules.
- Each game will last 6 minutes.
- Possession time will be 12’’, and if there is an offensive rebound, 7’’.
10+1 tactics of 3v3
- Don’t allow one defender to guard two players. Good spacing.
- Support drives. Stay within vision angles.
- Let your teammate express themselves with the ball. This idea means not getting in their way when they’re creating an advantage.
- After giving up the ball, remain a threat. Use of the relocate.
- Offer at least one passing lane to the ball handler. Work to get open using fakes.
- Action chaining: Hand-off + PnR, PnR + off-ball screen, off-ball + PnR, blind screen for the passer, pin down exit, flares...
- Setup of 2 perimeter players and 1 inside. Ideal to introduce the concept before teaching the 4-1.
- Individual responsibility within team defense. Deny the middle in 1v1 defense and always try to stay in front of the ball.
- Use the concept of disrupting drives through defensive fakes.
- Encourage the habit of attacking the offensive rebound.
- Avoid giving up rebounds easily. You can “charge a toll” to any player who enters the paint.
3x3 Basketball Rules
If you ever have doubts about how to structure 3v3 basketball drills and games, here’s an explanatory video about the rules.
Jordi Izquierdo (@coachJ04DI)
ITW Sport Sports Program
